Kellys Falls
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Details
kellys falls can be found in Stanwell tops, just a short drive from Wollongong. There is a picnic area near the car park which makes for a great place to come for lunch while you listen to the sounds of the water cascading down the falls in the distance.
The walk to the bottom of the falls starts from the car park. At the start of the walk you will notice two paths. The one that leads straight will offer views from the top of the falls and will lead you to a few viewing platforms. If you head right you can begin the decent to the bottom of the falls.
Shortly after following the path down, you’ll come across a section of the track that branches to the left. If you follow this path, it will lead you to a ladder which you can climb down to get to the falls (The ladder has since been removed so you will require your own rope or rope ladder to get down if you are confident). It is highly recommended that you wear comfortable shoes that you don’t mind getting muddy, as the track is often rather wet. Due to the nature of the climb, this walk has been graded hard for this reason.
Once at the bottom of the ladder, the path will trail around again leading you directly to the falls. A few falls tress are down, so you will need to climb over them in some sections. Here you can cool off in the water, climb to the top of the rocks and jump out or just sun bake on the rocks. It is also possible to climb sections of the falls or follow the river down and explore the surroundings.
To return to the car, you’ll need to follow the same way. You will need to climb up the ladder to make it back to the car, so only climb down if you are comfortable returning the same way. The hike back to the car is short but steep.
Kellys falls is well worth the visit and makes for an awesome adrenaline filled swimming location nested close to Wollongong and Sydney.
- Track distance
- 1.17 km
- Ascent
- 128 m
- Steepness
- Very steep (109.4 m/km)
- Descent
- 128 m
- Elevation range
- 214–240 m
Map data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, SRTM | Map style: © OpenTopoMap (CC-BY-SA) · MapLibre GL JS
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Helensburgh, NSW 
When you say: “The one that leads straight will offer views from the top… If you head right you can begin the decent to the bottom of the falls.”
By right, is this at the sign that says YOU ARE HERE (the sign at the end of the car park) or further down?
Do you have any videos or images?
Hi Chris,
Thanks for reaching out. Unfortunately it has been many years since I have visited Kellys Falls so I don’t have any useful images or videos for you. But you will need to head right from the end of the car park. Hope that helps.
The advice above is accurate but is possibly dangerous if you are not comfortable climbing down vertical rocks with a flimsy piece of rope.
There is another way although it is easy to miss the trail.
Follow the trail to the end of the fence. Then veer to the left a little and head down some tall natural rock steps. Once pass these steps turn left and head along the base of the cliff. At this part the trail is difficult to find and it is easy to go to far down the hill as this is the direction the trail seems to head. The turn to the left is not clearly defined and is often covered with leaves and fallen branches. If you are walking along the base of the cliff in the direction of the falls then you are on the right track. You will eventually pass the base of the section where people climb down the rope.